Ayanna YanceyCato would like the governor to take a look at her $100,000 water bill.

Gov. Deval Patrick told The Enterprise last week that he was unaware of the city’s widespread water-bill problems, which include the issuance of inaccurate bills and an investigation by the state attorney general into an alleged Open Meeting Law violation by the city Water Commission.

“To hear that he wasn’t aware of it at all is really surprising,” YanceyCato said Wednesday.

Residents expressed disappointment that the governor was unaware some residents are in fear of losing their homes after water bills for thousands of dollars were placed as liens on their property taxes.

“It is unfortunate that Gov. Patrick has not been made aware of the difficult situation that many Brockton homeowners find themselves in at the hands of the DPW – which could ultimately force some of them to lose their homes – over inaccurate and antiquated billing and water systems in our city,” resident Marianne Silva said in an e-mail Wednesday.

Silva was one of four city residents who complained to the state attorney general about an Aug. 30 closed-door meeting of the Brockton Water Commission, which oversees the department that issued the bills. Residents have accused the commission of violating state law by discussing policy and media coverage in private.

The commission cited an exemption in the law that would allow members to meet privately to discuss the reputation or potential firing of an individual.

But a tape of the Aug. 30 session revealed the board elected a spokesman, complained about media coverage, berated one member for his outspokenness and discussed ways to meet in private for training and other in-house matters.

A representative from Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office sent a letter to residents last month saying the office was investigating the meeting.

In an e-mail Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Patrick said the governor understood the city was handling the problem.

“We understand the City is actively working to address this important local issue. Governor Patrick has always been an ally and friend to the City of Brockton, and looks forward to continuing this valued partnership moving forward,” Deputy Press Secretary Heather Johnson said in the e-mail.

YanceyCato, who received a water bill for $100,000 that was later reduced to $17,000 after her water use was estimated for 12 years, said she has called Patrick’s office for help about three times in the past six months.

“I'm disturbed to know that the governor has no acknowledgement of this issue. I have called his office on numerous occasions and was told it was not their issue (and) that I had to work it out with the city,” YanceyCato said in an e-mail Wednesday.

YanceyCato said she recently called Patrick’s office to urge him to investigate the Brockton Water Department, which issued the bills and has fielded complaints from hundreds of residents. The city has hired a private auditing company to investigate the department.

Page 2 of 2 - Silva said she hopes Patrick will be paying attention to the audit’s results, which are expected by early April.